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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Development of Obliterative Bronchiolitis in a Murine Model of Orthotopic Lung Transplantation
Published on: July 10, 2012
[Non transplant-related constrictive bronchiolitis in adults]
M Fournier1, A Couvelard, H Mal
1Service de Pneumologie B--Hôpital Bichat, Paris, France. michel.fournier@bch.aphp.fr
Constrictive bronchiolitis, an inflammatory airway disease, presents with exertional dyspnea and fixed airflow obstruction. Surgical lung biopsy is crucial for diagnosis when clinical and radiological findings are inconclusive.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Pathology
- Radiology
Context:
- Bronchiolitis involves inflammation of the bronchioles, with constrictive bronchiolitis being the most common form.
- Clinical signs include exertional dyspnea and fixed airflow obstruction.
- Radiological findings like CT scans may show mosaic patterns, but diagnosis often requires histology.
Purpose:
- To review the clinical manifestations, diagnostic challenges, and therapeutic perspectives of constrictive bronchiolitis.
- To emphasize the diagnostic role of surgical lung biopsy.
Summary:
- Constrictive bronchiolitis causes exertional dyspnea and fixed airflow obstruction, with variable radiological findings.
- Numerous causes exist, including transplantation and inflammatory conditions.
- Histological examination via surgical lung biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosis.
Impact:
- Highlights the importance of surgical lung biopsy for definitive diagnosis of constrictive bronchiolitis.
- Suggests cytokine inhibitors as a potential future therapy.
- Aids clinicians in diagnosing obstructive lung diseases when presentation is unclear.
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